Goshen School District requests $70M

Raja Abdulrahim

Friday

Oct 26, 2007 at 2:00 AM

Goshen — If the Goshen School District's yearly campaign to drum up support for its budget is on the level of a town election, pitching one of the largest school construction projects in recent memory will be like running for state Senate.

Goshen — If the Goshen School District's yearly campaign to drum up support for its budget is on the level of a town election, pitching one of the largest school construction projects in recent memory will be like running for state Senate.

On Dec. 4, taxpayers will be asked to approve $70 million for large additions on three school buildings and the renovation of a fourth.

The tab isn't the only frightening number that Superintendent Roy Reese will present as he goes to local community groups.

The district's current 3,071-student population could rise by 1,000 in the next 10 years, according to a recent demographic study. More students need more space.

Even with state aid slated to cover about half the construction costs, it's still a hefty sum for district taxpayers over the next two decades.

Taxes would go up 3.8 percent the first year — on top of whatever increase the budget brings — and 4.2 percent for each of the following 20 years, according to the district.

The increase would be split between the first and second years because construction would not begin until spring 2009, and much of the money would not be needed immediately.

The last time the district had a project even close to this scale was in 1998, when voters approved $27 million worth of construction and renovations.

Regionally, Goshen's proposal appears to be a record-setter, eclipsing a $68 million improvement plan endorsed by Newburgh City School District voters earlier this year.

Over the past three years, Goshen officials have considered more than 10 construction options — ranging from $55 million to $100 million — as student populations have outgrown their schools.

The plan before voters includes significant additions to the elementary, middle and high schools totaling 174,000 square feet and renovations in the intermediate school.

The challenge for the district is pitching this to the public. Ever since 2004, when Goshen taxpayers twice voted down a $43.8 million budget, the district has taken its budget on a bit of a campaign trail, presenting it to community groups like the Rotary Club and parent-teacher organizations.

Where district officials might visit about 10 community groups in the lead-up to the budget vote, Reese said they will visit about 16 groups for this vote.

A public hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Main Street district building.

At the VFW in Goshen on Wednesday night, Reese came with proposed floor plans to talk to a small crowd.

He found at least one supporter in William Duggan, the group's chaplain.

"We have to take care of our kids," he said. "We need it so badly."

VFW member Tom Raab wasn't so sure and wondered if the estimated student growth actually would materialize.

"I'm not happy about this," Raab said.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.